“It came; It saw; but It could not conquer because “It” was dealing with a tough opponent i.e.ME. So “It” arrived at an agreement with ME which said, “I don’t wish to leave you ever because I have grown fond of you but here is a deal. Let us both become friends and let us learn to respect each other. This sounded inviting to me and I decided to sign the peace treaty and once I did “It” never tried to conquer me unless I offended “It”.
This “It” must be sounding too mysterious but actually it isn’t. I am talking about my bosom friendship with DIABETES. I don’t remember much how we became good friends but my dear parents tell me that at age 5, suddenly one day, I fell unconscious( of course the typical symptoms had been persistently present) and admitted to hospital. If the revelation of my diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes at such an early age had been shocking to my family, I am not aware of that. All I know is that the doctors were wise enough to acquaint my parents and siblings thoroughly with the nitty-gritty of diabetes in a manner as not to frighten them. Rest was left to my family how they would take care to educate themselves and also me.
Insulin shots, sometimes two, sometimes four used to bother my family initially but not for long. I was counselled well by my parents how I could maintain lifetime friendship with diabetes cordially. Gradually I started feeling proud of myself and boastfully smiled at people if they ever noticed me taking shots and avoiding sweets.
My friend took me into its world called “DIABETES WONDERLAND.”A land which was not sweet but not bitter either. A land filled with too much of greens, activity and discipline. A land that rested on the principle of “DIET, EXERCISE AND MEDICINES ON TIME, ENOUGH TO MAKE YOUR LIFE A RHYME.” If I tried violating the rules of this wonderland, I would have to confront the wicked guys – HYPOGLYCEMIA and HYPERGLYCEMIA and if I didn’t mend my ways, they would enthusiastically start ravaging my eyes, kidneys, feet or any other organ of the body that they like. I decided to follow the rules as much as I could. I kept growing older and so did my friend, diabetes. Finished my school, did college while staying in a hostel, away from family but keeping my near and dear ones well informed about my health status. Finally got a job that made me self – dependent.
However, my passion to learn more about diabetes introduced me to many other diabetic friends online. Similar encounters with hypos and hypers, similar experiences at work place and similar reactions. Everything was common and we all understood everything about each other which others could not. It was a forum that made life look more meaningful, more cheerful and forged friendships through mutual trust and understanding and so it happened between a wonderful person, my husband and me- a friendship of a lifetime.
It’s been 37 years of living with diabetes. I win, I lose on this roller-coaster ride, only to realize that the sweetness, so deeply inherent in us, better be used to spread sweetness and awareness about DIABETES among people…Young or old…. Healthy or Unhealthy, Diabetic or Non-diabetic.
– Ruchika Kathuria
Nityaasha Volunteer.
